The Rt. Hon. Sir John Robert
Kerr (PC) AK KCMG CVO (1970 - 1972)
John Kerr served as an additional
Justice of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory from 1970
- 1972.
Justice Kerr graduated with a Bachelor
of Laws degree with First Class Honours from Sydney University
in 1936. He was also awarded the University Medal.
Justice Kerr was admitted to the
New South Wales Bar in 1938 and served in the 2nd Australian Imperial
Forces from 1942 - 1946. Justice Kerr was the first Principal
of the Australian School of Pacific Administration from 1946 -
1948 and was an Organising Secretary of the South Pacific Commission
in 1948.
Justice Kerr was appointed as a
Queen's Counsel in 1953.
Justice Kerr was a Member of the New South Wales Bar Council from
1960 - 1964 and Vice President of the New South Wales Bar Association
from 1962 - 1963 and President in 1963. Justice Kerr was also
Vice President of the Law Council of Australia from 1962 - 1964
and President from 1965 - 1966. Justice Kerr was also President
of the Law Association for Asia and the Western Pacific from 1966
- 1970.
Justice Kerr was President of the
Australian Industrial Relations Society from 1960 - 1963, President
of the New South Wales Marriage Guidance Council from 1961 - 1962
and a Member of the Medical Board of New South Wales from 1963
- 1965. Justice Ker was also a Member of the Board and Council
on New Guinea Affairs from 1964 - 1971.
Justice Kerr was appointed as a
Justice of the Commonwealth Industrial Court and Supreme Court
of the Australian Capital Territory from 1966 - 1972. During this
time Justice Kerr was Deputy President of the Trade Practices
Tribunal, Deputy President of the Copyright Tribunal and a Member
of the Courts of Marine Enquiry.
Justice Kerr was Chief Justice
of the Supreme Court of New South Wales from 1972 - 1974, Lieutenant-Governor
of New South Wales from 1973 - 1974 and Governor-General of Australia
from 1974 - 1977.
Justice Kerr was awarded a Companion
of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1966 and was promoted
to a Knight of that Order in 1974. He was awarded a Knight of
the Order of St John of Jerusalem in 1974. He was also made a
Companion of the Order of Australia in 1975 and in 1976 was made
a Knight of the Order of Australia. Justice Kerr was made a Knight
Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1976 and
a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order in 1977. He
was also appointed as a Privy Councillor in 1977.
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